Program Officer 2, Evidence Synthesis

Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI); Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 145,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

PCORI is seeking a Program Officer for the Evidence Synthesis and Assessment (ESA) team. You will manage a portfolio of systematic reviews, rapid reviews, and evidence maps, collaborating with internal and external partners to advance patient-centered research and national priorities.

The role requires deep understanding of clinical study design and evidence synthesis, plus strong contract management, meticulous attention to detail, and relationship-building skills.

Qualifications

• Experience with evidence synthesis methods such as systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and scoping reviews.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist leadership in identifying and implementing strategic objectives for the Program.
• Manage portfolio of evidence synthesis products including systematic reviews, rapid reviews, and maps.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to determine priority topics for research impact on patient care.
• Oversee contractors’ work, including RFPs, milestones, and quality control.
• Identify and manage activities advancing ESA and PCORI’s National Priorities.

Skills

Contract management

Evidence synthesis

Attention to detail

Relationship building

Time management

Education

Doctoral degree in relevant field

Master’s degree in MPH/MPA/MPP or MBA

Tools

Endnote

Job description

About Us

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) is an independent nonprofit organization authorized by Congress in 2010. Its mission is to fund research that will provide patients, their caregivers and clinicians with the evidence-based information needed to make better-informed healthcare decisions. PCORI is committed to continually seeking input from a broad range of stakeholders to guide its work.

Position Summary

The Program Officer is integral to the programmatic functions of PCORI’s Evidence Synthesis and Assessment (ESA) team, a growing program that supports systematic and transparent synthesis of health studies in order to increase access, rigor, and relevance of high quality and up-to-date research evidence to inform healthcare decision-making by patients, clinicians, researchers, payers, and others. The team strives to be innovative in approach to product development with the goal of producing work that is meaningful and timely for a wide range of stakeholders such as patients, caregivers, clinicians, researchers, payers, and policy makers. Examples of recent work include PCORI’s evidence map of Social Needs Interventions to Improve Health Outcomes ( Social Needs Interventions to Improve Health Outcomes | PCORI) , efforts to promote interoperability of research data, and use of tools to improve the accuracy and efficiency of evidence reviews.

The Program Officer for ESA is responsible for management and monitoring of a portfolio of evidence synthesis and other related products (e.g. systematic reviews, rapid reviews, evidence maps, rapid responses, and others) that advance PCORI’s patient-centered research agenda. The primary responsibilities of the Program Officer include providing intellectual and organizational contributions to shape the ESA agenda, work with our research partners (external and within PCORI) to identify and develop topics, award and manage a large portfolio of contracts, and evaluate program activities to further the strategic direction of the program and support PCORI’s National Priorities ( The PCORI Strategic Plan: National Priorities for Health | PCORI) . Specifically, the Program Officer will develop statements of work for contracts, collaborate with teams at PCORI, and work with Procurement to select meritorious contractors for the work. The Program Officer will then oversee the contractor’s work to provide insight on PCORI’s needs and requirements as well as to ensure timely completion of quality products. This position requires a deep understanding of clinical research study design and evidence synthesis along with additional key skills including contract management, careful attention to details, personal initiative, creativity, flexibility, and excellent relationship building skills. Experience with evidence synthesis products and methods is required.

Responsibilities

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist unit, division, and department leadership in identifying and implementing strategic objectives for the Program.
• Manage a portfolio of evidence synthesis products including systematic reviews, rapid reviews, rapid responses, and evidence maps and visualizations; and lead in an area of innovation in evidence synthesis.
• Work with stakeholders and PCORI staff to determine priority topics for which research or evaluation of the current literature could 1) contribute to improved decision making and improved patient outcomes in health care or 2) identify gaps in knowledge and inform PCORI’s future clinical research.
• Use systematic and transparent approaches to gather, synthesize, and analyze literature as well as other data sources to support topic selection for new evidence synthesis.
• Oversee contractors’ work in developing evidence synthesis products on health care interventions, which includes developing requests for proposals, reviewing contract applications, monitoring attainment of contract milestones and overall project progress, and oversight and review of the contractors’ work to ensure accuracy.
• Identify and manage program activities that advance ESA and PCORI’s National Priorities, including leadership roles in developing new products and promoting standardized and efficient procedures of the ESA team.
• Collaborate with staff within the ESA team and from across PCORI, including research funding, engagement, and procurement staff in implementing program activities.

Organizational Responsibilities And Contributions

• Represents PCORI publicly regarding program direction, program funding, and the proposal process and award results.
• Participates in conferences, seminars, and other professional development activities to maintain and enhance expertise and professional status.
• Leads, contributes to, and participates in internal groups and teams and cross-cutting initiatives. Carries out other responsibilities as assigned by PCORI management.
• Keeps Program Director and team appraised of developments and occurrences in the field that are likely to affect program decision-making, strategies, and/or award decision-making.

Incumbent(s) in this position may be required to perform other duties and special assignments not specifically stated above.

Statements outlined in this section are designated as essential job functions in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

Required Skills and Experience

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience with evidence syntheses such as systematic review, meta-analysis, and scoping reviews
• Understanding of clinical care and health care systems.
• Ability to handle and manage multiple priorities effectively; must be adept at organizing time efficiently; high tolerance for ambiguity; ability to understand and work effectively with PCORI staff members.
• Able to synthesize material and focus quickly on the essence of an issue; to identify major opportunities in a specific area; to see the big picture.
• Strong oral presentation skills.
• Strong project and people management skills.
• Personally motivated to support PCORI’s mission and goals; to work independently and in teams to think imaginatively about opportunities; to create and respond to innovative approaches to addressing an issue; to inspire others to work towards achieving team goals.
• Outstanding interpersonal and teamwork skills; collegial, energetic, able to develop productive relationships with colleagues, awardees, consultants, external funders, and others who contribute to program development and management.
• Sound judgment and maturity, exemplified by consistent professionalism in dealing with individuals at all levels, both internally and externally.
• Ability to make decisions, justify recommendations, and is responsive and clear with external contractors.
• Ability to travel, as required, including site visits and representing PCORI at external meetings.
• Proficient in the use of technology, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Endnote.

Required Experience

• Doctoral degree and 2+ years of experience in a research discipline relevant to patient-centered outcomes research (e.g., clinical epidemiology, health services research, sociology, psychology, health policy, bio-statistics) OR a Master’s degree in relevant field (e.g., MPH, MPA, MPP; or MBA) and 5+ years of experience OR a clinical degree (e.g. medicine, nursing, pharmacy).
• Proven track record and leadership potential in clinical research.
• Proven experience in evidence synthesis
• Demonstrated progressive experience working with researchers and end-users of research preferred.
• Record of published work in evidence synthesis
• Experience with contracts management

Compensation And Benefits

Salary Range: $145,000 - $160,000

The above range represents the salary range expected for the position; however, final offers are based on several factors such as the position’s responsibilities; the candidate’s experience, education, and skills; location; travel required; and current market conditions. Subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans then in effect, eligible employees may participate in PCORI-sponsored medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance plans for the employee and the employee’s eligible dependents.

Conflict of Interest

PCORI wants to ensure that prospective employees are aware of its conflict-of-interest policies so that employment deliberations take into consideration this aspect of PCORI employment. PCORI requires all PCORI employees to disclose upon commencement of their employment and on an annual basis all individual and close relatives financial, business, and personal association with the potential to bias or that have the appearance of biasing one’s decisions relating to PCORI. All disclosures made by employees are made publicly available on PCORI’s website. Disclosures must include all financial and business and personal associations with any health or healthcare-related organizations and include all associations with any other organizations that have the potential to bias or that have the appearance of biasing one’s decisions relating to PCORI, including but not limited to vendors or other third parties with whom PCORI has a contract or that PCORI has funded. For more information please visit PCORI-Conflict-of-Interest-Policies-Outside-Employment-Policy.pdf

PCORI conducts reference and background checks on all applicants.